Frank p



(No Model.)

F. P. HOWARD.

SIGN'.

No. 477,417. Patented June 21, 1892.

IHMNLILIKICIUI 'UNrTED STATES DATENT rtree.

FRANK P. I-IOVARD, OF SEDALIA, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO GEO. T. BROWN AND JOSEPH H. KELLY, OF SAME PLACE.

SIGN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 477,417, dated June 21, 1892. Application filed September '7, 1891. Serial No. 404,995. (No model.)

To all whom t mayconcern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK P. HOWARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sedalia, in the county of Pettis and State of Missouri, have invented a new 4and useful Sign, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in signs; and the objects in view are to provide a sign of cheap and simple construction and 1o of variable size, which sign is designed to receive various inscriptions, which may be changed as often as necessary.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description,

and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is an elevation of a sign constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a reverse view.

zo Fig. 3 is a transverse section through one of the sections. Fig. LI is a longitudinal section thereof. i Fig. 5 is a det-ail of one ot' the rcmovable letter-cards. i

Like numerals of reference indicate like 2 5 parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In practicing my invention I form a signsection 1 of two strips of sheet metal 2. These strips are laid side by side and have their opposite extremities rounded, as shown, the

3o rounded extremity of each strip extending beyond the square end ofthe opposite strip.

The square end of each of the strips and the opposite longitudinal edges thereof are bent over upon the face of the strip, as indicated at 3, and themeeting edges of the two strips soldered together, as shown and indicated at et. Stops 5, formed of sheet metal and thereby made elastic, are solderedto the face of each strip at the rounded end thereof.

6 designates a card-board bearing a character which may be either a letter or numeral or a punctuation niark or blank, and the same are preferably formed upon a black background, the character being white. By arranging these cards, sliding them edgewise into the opposite longitudinal ways of the strips,and combining with them proper blanks any desired sign or inscription may be pro-1 duced. The space not occupied by letters is 5o filled by the blanks, so that the cards are bounded upon their upper and lower edges by the ways and at the opposite ends bythe vertical way and the stop, which prevents any accidental displacementof any ofthe letters, while at the same time itpermits of a removal thereof. The rounded ends of the strips have perforations 7, and from the same short chains 8 depend, so that, if desired, several sections may be joined together to form a sign of any number of lines. The front as well as the 6o rear strips may be filled with the saine inscription, so that it is visible from either side when suspended, or filled with different i11- scriptions and supported upon a wall or other object, so that the mere reversal of the sign will brin g a different inscription to view. The entire series of signs is supported by means of a chain 9.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, 7o it will be seen that I produce a sign of great simplicity and cheapness the subject-matter of which may be changed at will.

I have herein described the letters or characters as white upon a black background; but it will be understood that any colored letter and background may be employed.

Having described my invention, what I claim isi-- l. The hereimdescribed sign-section, con- 8o sisting of opposite sheet-metal strips having their opposite ends overlapping each other, the ends of the strips, together with their longitudinal edges, being bent over upon the face of the sign-stri p, with the exception of the 8 5 overlapping end thereof, and the series of character-bearing cards removably mounted between the bent edges of the strips, substantially as specified.

2. The herein-described sign-section, consisting of opposite sheet-metal strips having their opposite ends overlapping each other, the ends of the strips, together with their lonn gitudinal edges, being bent over upon the face of the sign-stri p, with. the exception of the 95 overlapping end thereof, stops located upon the faces of the strips'near their overlapping ends, and the series of character bearing cards removably mounted between the bent edges of the strips, substantially as specified. roo v 3. In a sign, a series of independent sections, each consisting of a pairf of strips placed back to back, soldered together, and having overlapping ends, the edges and nnlapped ends of the strips being bent over upon the faces of the strps,'the stops located 5 upon the lapped ends of the strips, the series of removable chains loosely engaging eyes formed in the lapping ends of the strips, the suspension-ehain,and the series of characterbearing cards removably mounted between the bent edges of the strips, substantially as 1o specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK P. HOWARD.

Witnesses:

R. D. MCCAY, WM. CODLING. 

